The Czech goalkeeper’s importance has increased with Ewen Jaouen sidelined, leaving Newcastle United short of depth behind Hornicek and Pope.
Jaouen has only recently returned from an ankle injury and was subsequently withdrawn from the France Under-21 squad with a hamstring problem.
That means Pope could be required on the bench for Newcastle’s trip to Coventry City, with Hornicek currently first choice and Mark Gillespie providing further experience.
Newcastle had hoped to resolve Pope’s situation during the summer transfer window after Matthias Jaissle made clear that the 34-year-old was no longer regarded as the club’s No.1 goalkeeper.
However, the Magpies were unable to find a buyer despite reported interest from Ipswich Town and Leeds United.
The original plan was to move Pope on and replace him with a younger third-choice goalkeeper who could support Hornicek and Jaouen.
That did not happen, leaving Newcastle with Pope still on the books and a recruitment department continuing to assess younger goalkeeping options ahead of January.
Pope has remained professional despite being told that his long-term future lies elsewhere. His contract situation also means Newcastle could face the possibility of losing him as a free agent if no agreement is reached.
The club are keen to avoid another expensive departure, having allowed Kieran Trippier to leave on a free transfer during the summer.
There was still speculation after the transfer window closed that Newcastle could sanction Pope’s departure. Celtic were linked with the former Burnley goalkeeper, but the Scottish club instead brought in Sam Johnstone on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
For now, Pope’s presence gives Jaissle some valuable insurance while Jaouen recovers.
Hornicek has continued to play during Jaouen’s absence, including the match at Millwall, where Newcastle kept their Czech goalkeeper on the pitch rather than rotating him.
The situation also explains why Newcastle remain interested in Hornicek’s progress with Czechia. Any injury to the young goalkeeper would leave Pope as the obvious senior replacement, despite his lack of first-team football since May.
Newcastle face a demanding period later this month, with Crystal Palace away followed by Everton in the Carabao Cup. Jaissle will therefore have to manage his goalkeeper options carefully while the club continues to consider its longer-term plans.
Pope’s future remains uncertain, but the failure to move him on means his Newcastle story is not necessarily finished yet.